Since each photograph is a unique expression of the subject, the photographer should be able to capture that uniqueness. To help achieve this, the photographer must combine a variety of factors. One of these factors is body language or non-verbal communication. Non-verbal communication is a powerful concept that is often overlooked.
Body language is defined as body gestures, postures, and facial expressions that a person unconsciously communicates. The Oxford English Dictionary (2005) defines it as “the conscious and unconscious movements and postures through which attitudes and feelings are communicated”. They are usually an expression of your feelings or psychological state of mind. The ability to portray a person in their most natural state is a vital contribution to a perfect portrait and goes hand in hand with proper pose techniques.
Body languages are the non-verbal signs or signals that are used to a great extent in our daily life. They range from our facial expressions to body movements and most of the time convey more subtle information than verbal communication. On average, body languages make up about 65-70 percent of all communication. In photography, non-verbal communication accounts for 100 percent, as there is no actual verbal communication involved between the subject and the viewer. On many occasions, just by looking at the photos, we form a strong perception about them even before we know the story behind the image itself.
A solid understanding of the meaning of non-verbal communication can enhance or lessen the effects of the pose and personality conveyed by the subject. You can create the “feel factor” of photography. A simple change in body signals can change the subject’s overexpression. However, it should be noted that the same non-spring sign may mean differently depending on the viewer and the context in which it was used.
When reading the body cue, the first goal is to determine the subject’s comfort level. The more comfortable the subject is, the more natural the subject will be in expressing body languages. There are several ways to determine the comfort level and, in general, they can be classified as positive or negative. Unspoken communication signals encompass a wide range of various interdependent factors. Of these factors, those that most benefit photography are identified as expressive body language.
A clear understanding of non-verbal communication can be helpful in understanding ourselves and our subject. You can also help us write and convey the message we want with our photos. A simple variation in non-verbal cues can affect the big picture, so it is important to know how simpler non-verbal cues can enhance or lessen the overall effects of the pose performed by the subject. Understanding body language requires interpreting a series of constant cues to indicate a particular expression. There is no right or wrong answer; it all depends on the individual interpretation of the various combinations of body languages used. Unspoken communication is relevant where verbal communication is not possible and where physical observation is the primary mode of expression.